The first phase of the Maltese selection has ended and a number of songs made it to the second phase of the Malta Eurovision Festival 2011. PBS did not publish any details regarding the qualifiers.

Earlier last month a total of 141 entries were submitted to the national selection. A panel of jury heard the songs on CD and decided to select a number of songs. These songs will be presented in front of the professional jury that will choose 24 entries to qualify to the third phase of the selection. This phase will take place in the upcoming days behind close doors.

Esctoday.com contacted Anton Attard (CEO – PBS) to ask about the number of songs that advanced and about the details regarding the qualifiers. Attard said that currently the national TV station is not in a position to give any details. PBS will officially present the 24 songs that will make it to the televised shows prior to the final which will take place in February.

According to escflashmalta.com, the artists that made it through the initial phase were contacted by email. The local site also reported some familiar names that are believed to have made it to the next phase. These includes Glen Vella (last year’s runner up in the national selection), Gunther Chetcuti (3rd place in Malta Song for Europe 2003) and Ryan Dale who debuted in the national selection last year.

The Malta Eurovision Festival final is expected to take place in the Malta Fairs & Convention Centre. A mixture of a professional jury and the public will select Malta’s 24th representative in the Eurovision Song Contest.